अन्येषां च भवेज्ज्ञानं श्रुत्वा शास्त्रं सतां मुखात् 4.25.
Knowledge arises for others too, by hearing scripture from the mouths of the virtuous.
कर्म वेदविरुद्धं च सर्वेषामतिगर्हितम्
Action that is opposed to the Veda is utterly condemned by all.
पुराणेषु च वेदेषु चेतिहासेषु ब्राह्मण
In the Purāṇas, the Vedas, and the Itihāsas, O Brāhmaṇa,
अहं प्राणा वैष्णवानां मम प्राणाश्च वैष्णवाः
I am the very life of the Vaiṣṇavas, and the Vaiṣṇavas are my very life.
पुत्रान्पौत्रान्कलत्रांश्च राज्यं लक्ष्मीं विहाय च
Abandoning sons, grandsons, wives, kingdom, and even wealth,
परा भक्तान्न मे प्राणा न च लक्ष्मीर्न शङ्करः
There is no one dearer to me than my devotees—not even Lakṣmī or Śaṅkara.
न ब्राह्मणा न वेदाश्च न वेदजननी परा
Not the Brāhmaṇas, not the Vedas, nor the mother of the Vedas is higher than them.
इत्येवं कथितं सर्वं सत्यं सारं च वास्तवम्
Thus everything has been spoken—true, essential, and real.
मां द्विषन्ति च ये मूढा ज्ञानहीनाश्च वञ्चिताः
Those fools who hate me, deprived of knowledge and deluded,
ये द्विषन्ति च मद्भक्तान्प्राणानामधिकं प्रियान्
And those who hate my devotees, who are dearer to me than life itself,
प्रभावोऽहं च सर्वेषामीश्वरः परिपालकः 4.25.
I am the power of all, the Lord, the protector.
गोलोके वाऽथ वैकुण्ठे द्विभुजं च चतुर्भुजम्
Whether in Goloka or in Vaikuṇṭha, whether two-armed or four-armed,
यदुक्तं भक्तदत्तं च भक्षणीयं च तन्मम
Whatever is offered by a devotee, or given to a devotee, is to be accepted as mine.
अंबरीषं नृपश्रेष्ठं निरीहं तमहिंसकम्
Ambarīṣa, the best of kings, who is without desire and non-violent,
दयां कुर्वंति ये सन्तः सततं सर्वजन्तुषु
Those virtuous ones who always show compassion to all beings,
भक्तानां हिंसकं शत्रुमहं रक्षितुमक्षमः
I am unable to protect the enemy who harms my devotees.
नारायण उवाच विषण्णमानसस्तस्थौ स्मरन्कृष्णपदाम्बुजम्
Nārāyaṇa said: With a troubled mind, he stood remembering Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे ब्रह्मा भवान्या सह शंकरः
At that moment, Brahmā, along with Bhavānī and Śaṅkara,
प्रणम्य तुष्टुवुः सर्वे परमात्मानमीश्वरम्
Having bowed, all of them praised the Supreme Soul, the Lord.
ब्रह्मोवाच भक्तापराधजनकं रक्ष ब्राह्मणपुङ्गवम्
Brahmā said: Protect this foremost of Brāhmaṇas, who has erred out of devotion.
महादेव उवाच कृतापराधं दीनं च पाहीमं शरणागतम् ।। 4.25.
Mahadeva said: Protect this one, who is distressed and has committed an offense, who has come to you for refuge.
पार्वत्युवाच सर्वेषामीश्वरस्त्वं च रक्ष विप्रं कृतागसम्
Parvati said: You are the Lord of all; protect the Brahmin who has committed a transgression.
धर्म उवाच शिशुहेतोः शिशुं हन्ति पितेत्येवं कुतः प्रभो
Dharma said: For the sake of a child, one kills a child—how can this be, O Lord?
इंद्र उवाच अपराधफलं भूतमधुना पातुमर्हसि
Indra said: Now you must bear the fruit of the offense that has occurred.
रुद्र उवाच कृतकुण्ठस्य मूलस्य पालनं कर्तुमर्हसि
Rudra said: You ought to protect the root of what has been made blunt.
दिक्पाल उवाच अपराधशमं कृत्वा सदा पाति सदीश्वरः
The Guardians of the Directions said: Having forgiven the offense, the Lord always protects.
ग्रहा ऊचुः पीडां कुर्मो वयं शश्वत्पश्चात्त्वं पातुमर्हसि
The Planets said: We always inflict suffering, but afterwards, you ought to protect.
मुनय ऊचुः दण्डं विधातुमेकस्य भवेल्लज्जा स्वजातिषु
The Sages said: To punish one of one's own kind would bring shame among one's kin.
अत्रिरुवाच न कं बिभेति त्रैलोक्ये तेजस्वी तेजसा तव
Atri said: In the three worlds, none fears anyone, O radiant one, because of your brilliance.
लक्ष्मीरुवाच स्तुवन्ति देव विप्राश्च न विप्रं हन्तुमर्हसि
Lakshmi said: The gods and Brahmins praise you; you should not harm the Brahmin.